The Library
Read Classic Literature in English
Learn English by reading the books worth reading. Every book is the complete text, labelled A2 to C2 — tap any word for an instant translation, hear natural audio narration, and save the vocabulary you meet as you go. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
Level C1Children'sThe School FourIn an Eastern private school, rivals unite to form a new athletic league, blending football and rowing with lessons in sportsmanship and school spirit.
Level C1ClassicsThe Scarlet Stigma: A Drama in Four ActsIn a Puritan town rife with judgment and whispered scandal, a gentlewoman faces public trial for adultery, stirring whispers, harsh laws, and the shadow of a harsh stigma.
Level C1HistoricalThe Scarlet Shoulders; or, The Miner RangersAmidst a fierce siege by painted warriors, a noble haciendado and his fearless wife defend their home against overwhelming odds, as loyalty and courage are tested on the sunlit fro…
Level C1AdventureThe Scarlet PimpernelAmid the terror and chaos of revolutionary Paris, aristocrats desperate to flee face deadly traps at every barricade, while a cunning patriot revels in unmasking them.
Level C1PoetryThe Scarlet Gown: Being Verses by a St. Andrews ManImmerse yourself in the tranquil rhythms and heartfelt verses inspired by life in St.
Level C1RomanceThe Scarlet CarA spirited autumn day sets the stage for a thrilling ride to the Harvard-Yale game, where rivalries, romance, and unexpected tensions ignite among friends and suitors sharing a sca…
Level C1HistoricalThe Scarlet BannerIn a vivid tale set amid the opulence and decline of Vandal-ruled Carthage, a conflicted narrator secretly chronicles the fierce clash between Romans and Vandals, revealing the pol…
Level C1ClassicsThe ScapegoatIn a land where tyranny rules and justice is bought, a humble leader emerges in Morocco’s darkest days, offering hope to the oppressed through faith and courage.
Level C1ClassicsThe Scape-Goat: A Farce in One ActIn a scholarly household where love is forbidden, a young tutor fiercely guards his pupil from distractions—especially the affections of a spirited maid determined to defy him.
Level C1AdventureThe Scalp HuntersVast prairies and untamed forests paint the backdrop for a gripping tale of survival and conflict in the American West, where hunters and Native Americans clash amid the wild, flow…
Level C1ClassicsThe Sayings of Mrs. Solomon: being the confessions of the seven hundredth wife as revealed to Helen RowlandExplore the witty confessions of a seasoned wife who unveils the mysteries of men and marriage, revealing the paradoxes of love, the quirks of husbands, and the subtle art of under…
Level C1PhilosophyThe Sayings of ConfuciusIn a time of political chaos and moral decay, a wise teacher seeks to restore order through the study of history and the revival of ancient virtues, guiding disciples toward harmon…
Level C1HistoricalThe Saxons: A Drama of Christianity in the NorthIn a rugged northern forest, the clash between ancient pagan ways and the rising tide of Christianity unfolds through intertwined lives and sacred symbols.
Level C1ClassicsThe Satyricon — Volume 07: Marchena NotesUncover lost fragments and scandalous tales from ancient Rome, where soldiers, courtesans, and forbidden loves intertwine amidst the mysteries of Priapus worship.
Level C1ClassicsThe Satyricon — Volume 02: Dinner of TrimalchioDive into the lavish and eccentric world of Trimalchio, a wealthy freedman whose decadent dinner party unveils a spectacle of opulence, bizarre rituals, and vivid scenes from Roman…
Level C1ClassicsThe Satyricon — Volume 01: IntroductionDive into a vivid miscellany of wit and realism set in Nero's Rome, where sharp characters and racy episodes unfold with elegance and humor, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of anci…
Level C1ClassicsThe Satyricon — CompleteDive into a vivid, satirical journey through the decadent life of ancient Rome, where sharp wit and scandalous episodes reveal the complexities of society under Nero's rule.
Level C1PoetryThe Satires, Epistles, and Art of Poetry of HoraceDive into the sharp wit and timeless reflections of Roman satire and epistles, where playful persiflage meets profound insight.
Level C1PoetryThe Satires of Juvenal, Persius, Sulpicia, and Lucilius: Literally translated into English prose, with notes, chronological tables, arguments, &c.Scathing Roman satires expose the vices and follies of Domitian's court through the sharp wit of a poet who risks exile to speak truth to power.
Level C1RomanceThe Sapphire CrossIn the wild Fen-Land, two friends grapple with love, loss, and loyalty as Marion prepares to marry, haunted by memories of a fallen soldier.
Level C1HistoricalThe Sanskrit dramaExplore the divine origins and evolution of Sanskrit drama, tracing its sacred roots in Vedic tradition and the celestial artistry of gods, while uncovering the rich theory and pra…
Level C1FantasyThe San Francisco Fairy: A Tale of Early TimesA young maiden longing to win her lover's heart embarks on a mystical journey beneath the lake, where a giant fish leads her to the enchanting realm of the San Francisco Fairy and…
Level C1AdventureThe Sampo: A Wonder Tale of the Old NorthAmid the icy waves of the far North, a mysterious shipwrecked hero’s cries summon Dame Louhi and her radiant daughter, the Maid of Beauty, into a world where ancient magic, songs,…
Level C1HistoricalThe Salem Belle: A Tale of 1692In 1692 New England, superstition and fanaticism ignite a deadly witchcraft hysteria that tests the faith, reason, and resilience of a devout community struggling to survive both w…
Level C1ClassicsThe SalamanderA fiercely independent young woman navigates New York’s social labyrinth with wild curiosity and fearless defiance, challenging conventions as she explores the thrilling and danger…
Level C1MysteryThe Saintsbury AffairAn architect with a mysterious past seeks legal and moral counsel after receiving a chilling blackmail demand.
Level C1HistoricalThe Saint's TragedyIn a stirring historical drama, human passions and struggles unfold beyond mere moral lessons, inviting readers to explore timeless conflicts and the depths of conscience through v…
Level C1FantasyThe Saint of the Dragon's Dale: A Fantastical TaleIn a rain-soaked Thuringian forest, young Johann braves eerie legends and enchanted woods to deliver a basket to the mysterious Saint of the Dragon’s Dale, where ancient magic and…
Level C1ClassicsThe SaintHaunted by past love and tormented by faith, Benedetto lives a life of prayer and penance while those he left behind wander in despair, caught in a clash of belief, passion, and re…
Level C1AdventureThe SailorIn a grim Midland slum, a terrified boy flees a ruthless woman wielding a heavy whip, finding a desperate escape through a hidden hole in a wall.
Level C1ClassicsThe SaharaExplore the vast, sun-scorched Sahara where isolation breeds a haunting stillness, and encounter the resilient people navigating the relentless desert and the mysterious, sleepy to…
Level C1ClassicsThe Sad Shepherd: A Christmas StoryIn a stark winter landscape, a weary shepherd leads a restless flock while confronting robbers and the harshness of his path.
Level C1MysteryThe Sacred HerbA wealthy and bored nobleman finds himself challenged by his determined aunt to abandon idleness and pursue a meaningful life, setting the stage for a mystery where privilege meets…
Level C1ClassicsThe Sacred FountAt a lively social gathering on a fast train, intriguing acquaintances reconnect and secrets simmer beneath polite conversation.
Level C1HistoricalThe Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume 6 (of 14): Medieval Arabic, Moorish, and TurkishExplore the spread of Arabic literature and thought from the rise of Mohammed’s empire through its medieval expansion across North Africa, Spain, and Asia Minor, tracing how Arabic…
Level C1AdventureThe Sack of Monte Carlo: An Adventure of To-dayA daring lieutenant plots a bold raid on the opulent Monte Carlo casino, aiming to seize a fortune hidden in its vaults.
Level C1HistoricalThe Sable Cloud: A Southern Tale With Northern Comments (1861)A Southern slaveholder's heartfelt letter mourning the death of a slave's infant reveals the tender, complex human emotions beneath the harsh realities of slavery, inviting Norther…
Level C1Children'sThe Sa'-Zada TalesIn a scorching city zoo, Sa'-zada the Keeper bridges the gap between caged animals by encouraging them to share stories of their wild pasts, fostering friendship and survival amid…
Level C1PoetryThe Rāmāyana, Volume 4. Uttara KāndaAfter defeating the demon king Rāvaṇa, Rāma is visited by revered sages who honor his triumph and discuss the restoration of order and righteousness in his kingdom.
Level C1PoetryThe Rāmāyana, Volume 3. YuddhakāndamAs Rāma rejoices at Hanumān's daring mission into the impenetrable city of Lankā, he faces the daunting challenge of crossing the vast ocean with his monkey allies to rescue Sītā.
Level C1RomanceThe Rustle of SilkA young woman captivates an artist and stirs hidden desires as she moves through London, embodying innocence and allure in equal measure.
Level C1HistoricalThe Russian novelistsExplore the rich landscape of Russian literature through vivid portraits of its most influential novelists, revealing how their works reflect the nation's unique character and the…
Level C1Children'sThe Russian Grandmother's Wonder TalesStep into the rustic world of Southern Russia, where a grandmother’s folk tales weave magic, humor, and ancient wisdom into stories of foxes, enchanted birds, and transformative ad…![Cover of The Russian Garland, Being Russian Folk Tales by Robert Reynolds [Editor] Steele](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daer4uoe1ofc73dh8b0g.webp)
Level C1Children'sThe Russian Garland, Being Russian Folk TalesThree brothers set out on quests, but only the youngest, Lyubim Tsarevich, dares to seek his lost siblings and prove his worth as a future ruler—armed with a mysterious horse and a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Rush for the Spoil (La Curée): A Realistic NovelAmid the glittering excess of Paris under the Second Empire, a young woman trapped in luxury seeks escape through forbidden love, while a ruthless speculator plots to amass a fortu…
Level C1ClassicsThe Ruling Passion: Tales of Nature and Human NatureIn a remote Adirondack village, the arrival of a mysterious stranger stirs the community, setting the stage for stories that explore the hidden passions shaping human nature agains…
Level C1HistoricalThe Ruinous FaceA weary Menelaus, consumed by longing and rage during the protracted siege of Troy, clings to the hope of reclaiming Helen amidst the desolation and fading spirits of war.
Level C1ClassicsThe Rudder Grangers Abroad and Other StoriesSet sail on the Indian River with a quirky group of travelers aboard a small yacht, where sunlit waters and unexpected encounters blend with the whims and reflections of a Paying T…
Why it works
Why read classics to learn English
Graded by real CEFR level
Every book is labelled B1, B2 or C1 so you can pick something that stretches you without overwhelming you.
Tap any word to translate
Touch a word or phrase to see it in your language instantly — no dictionary, no leaving the page.
Audio narration & pronunciation
Listen to clear, natural narration and read along to train your ear as well as your eye.
Vocabulary from your own reading
Save the words you meet; they become flashcards built from the books you actually read.
Questions
Learning English by reading
Reading exposes you to real grammar, vocabulary and phrasing in context — far more memorably than word lists. With instant translation and audio on every page, you stay in the story instead of stalling on unknown words, which is what builds fluency.
Choose a book one notch above where you feel comfortable: B1 if you read everyday English, B2 if you can follow longer articles, C1 for literary prose. You can always tap words you don’t know — a little stretch is exactly how you level up.
Sample chapters are free to read with no account. To read a full book — with tap-to-translate, audio narration and saved progress — you start your trial at quiz.nikmas.studio.
Not for sample chapters — they open with no signup. To read a whole book you start your trial at quiz.nikmas.studio, which keeps your vocabulary and place across devices.